Reducing the Appearance of Age Spots

Age Spots Appearance Reduction

Age spots are also known as liver spots. These are flat and have a red, brown or black appearance. They are a blemish on the skin connected with ageing and exposure to UV rays (even casual exposure to the sun can lead to age spots). They are usually situated in areas that are regularly exposed to the sun like the face, arms, shoulders, hands and scalp (if you are bald). A common misunderstanding is that liver spots are a result of the person having liver problems however this is not true. Age spots generally do not pose a threat and do not need treatment but some of them can look like cancerous growths, it is best to get all unusual spots checked out by a medical professional.

Although age spots are harmless most people who have them hate them. So how can we minimise the appearance of them without having them cosmetically removed?

Use a skin lightening cream

There are a number of these on the market. Ensure you do your research prior to committing to one. Many of these fade creams contain bleach to help reduce the age spots. Ensure you take extra precautions when going into the sun as the lightening creams make skin more sensitive to the elements.

Use sunscreen

When you’re out and about apply a good sunscreen that protects against UVA and UVB rays and with an SPF of 45 or greater. Apply it half an hour before going outside and reapply regularly. Stay clear of tanning beds. This will not only protect your skin from age spots and diminish pre-existing ones but minimises the risk of getting cancer.

Cryotherapy

This is the process whereby the age spots are frozen using liquid nitrogen. This causes them to peel away from the body. In some cases the person can be left with a permanent white scar post the procedure.

Use of creams containing Vitamin C and E

Vitamin C is used to brighten and even out the skin tone. Vitamin E protects and provides moisture to the skin. Both Vitamin C and E have antioxidant capabilities and creams containing these vitamins may reduce the appearance of age spots.

Intense Pulsed Light (IPL)

IPL has been proven very effect for the removal of age spots. The IPL device produces a variety of light waves that are turned and directed at haemoglobin or melanin (this is the pigment in the age spots). The light wave passes through the skin and is absorbed by either the melanin or haemoglobin. This causes the pigment in the age spot to be fragmented and is then absorbed by the body, as a result the appearance of the age spots appear reduced and the surrounding tissue remains healthy and intact. For complete removal of the pigment a number of sessions may be required.

Chemical Peels

This can be an effective method of reducing the appearance of age spots however several peels are usually necessary to restore the skin’s natural pigmentation.

Alpha-Hydroxy cleanser

These cleansers contain Alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) which exfoliate the skin and gets rid of dead skin cells resulting in brighter, fresher looking skin underneath. This process may reduce the appearance of age spots, they will not get rid of age spots altogether.

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About Amanda O'Rourke

Amanda is a registered nurse who completed a BSc in General Nursing at Dublin City University, Ireland where she received honours. She has gained Australian healthcare experience through working in Sydney teaching hospitals and is a friendly, charismatic young nurse who prides herself on providing high quality holistic patient care.

Her background is in surgery nursing in a large teaching hospital in Dublin. She has gained vast experience with various different conditions through her work in both Dublin and Australia. Amanda has expertise and experience with skincare treatments.

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We are Dietitians and Nutritionists, Speech Pathologists and Skincare Specialists. We see adults and children from our office in Randwick. Passionate about health and wellbeing, we write about issues relevant to our clinical practice.